After my favourite video games, Tetris and N++, time to post about my favourite board game.
My first encounter with Teeko was in 2016, running into its Wikipedia page and devouring Blake Eskin's 2001 WaPo article.
After a journey of many seasons, I'm running an online version, and own over 900 physical copies of my own take (as a few were gifted or traded).
It feels like merely the beginning though.
Online version: needs work!
The online version was built around my personal desire for remote play, and to turn my phone into a board at an instant's notice. It's functional for both. But…
- It lacks bots. A shame given the game was solved by Guy L. Steele Jr. through a brute force search in 1998 and I have a copy of the solution, which produces an O(1) lookup database of position to outcome given optimal play.
- It isn't inviting. I'm sure a lot could be done, and given the elegance of the game itself, it wouldn't be lipstick on a pig.
Physical version: needs distribution?
The original trademark, registration #519087, expired in 2021. I have no problem distributing the game under its original name, and my design is distinct enough.
The stocks for boards, pieces, and bags are living in my bedroom closet. I have yet to print rules, and some assembly is required, but it's otherwise ready.
You can write to preorders@teeko.cc, but I have no concrete plans to distribute it beyond hand-delivering it around me at the moment.